A move to expand premarital medical examinations in Bahrain to include mental health assessments and drug screening will be debated by Parliament on Tuesday, amid divided views on its feasibility and scope.
The proposal, submitted by five MPs led by Strategic Thinking Bloc member Bassema Mubarak, seeks to amend Article (1) of Law No (11) of 2004 concerning medical tests for those intending to marry.
Under the proposed amendment, the definition of a “medical examination” would be broadened to include “mental health evaluation and screening for the use or abuse of illicit drugs or narcotics,” in addition to the existing checks for genetic and communicable diseases.
“The family is the foundation of society, and ensuring its stability starts with the health – both physical and mental – of its members,” said Ms Mubarak.
“This amendment is about prevention. We want to protect families from avoidable psychological and social challenges that can emerge when mental illness or substance abuse goes undetected before marriage.”
The existing Law No (11) of 2004 mandates medical tests for certain hereditary and infectious diseases before marriage, such as sickle-cell anaemia, thalassemia, hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, and syphilis.
MPs argue that the reform would strengthen families, reduce divorce rates, and prevent social problems linked to untreated psychological conditions or substance dependence.
“Just as medical screening has reduced genetic diseases, mental and behavioural health checks can help build healthier, more stable families and ultimately safeguard society,” Ms Mubarak added.
However, both the Health Ministry and the Supreme Council of Health expressed strong reservations about the practicality and appropriateness of the proposed changes.
In their joint opinion, the authorities affirmed their appreciation for the proposal’s intentions, but warned that mental health and addiction assessments “fall outside the objectives and framework” of the current law.
They explained that the existing statute focuses exclusively on communicable and hereditary conditions – diseases that can be transmitted between spouses or passed on to children – whereas psychological disorders and substance use do not fall within this category.
Health experts also highlighted confidentiality challenges, especially when dealing with individuals receiving psychiatric care or medically prescribed substances. They noted that addiction and mental health diagnoses require detailed clinical evaluation rather than simple laboratory tests and these factors would make implementation “difficult, inconsistent, and potentially invasive.”
Following deliberations, Parliament’s services committee, chaired by MP Mamdooh Al Saleh, unanimously recommended rejection of the bill.
The committee’s report cited additional obstacles, including the time required for psychological diagnosis, the risk of false positives in drug testing, and variations in substances that could distort results. It also noted that comparable laws in other countries do not require such tests for marriage applicants.
Despite the committee’s recommendation for rejection, the proposal will be debated during Parliament’s weekly session on Tuesday.
MPs are expected to discuss its social, medical, and legal implications before deciding whether to advance or shelve the amendment.
&uuid=(email))